Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh boosts tourism

An early spell of snowfall in Kufri in Himachal Pradesh this year has brought cheers to the small business community. Kufri has been attracting a steady stream of visitors after temperatures plummeted.

One of the preferred tourist destinations for people from the plains, Kufri has reported a significant jump in tourist numbers. Locals are happy as all sectors linked to tourism industry are doing well.

Travel agent Kuldeep Sharma said the rush of tourists has boosted the revenues of hotels and small traders.

"Everybody is having a good business, be it people arranging for skiing, or tube-slider. Business has got a big boost. Unlike other years, the early snow spell has brought bonus for us," Sharma said.

Over 1,500 people are directly linked to tourist related activities.

"It is a very nice experience. This is the first time that I have found skiing easily available. Earlier, we had to go travel to Srinagar to enjoy it," Bhopinder Bhardwaj, a tourist said.

The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rains or snow in Shimla and adjoining areas in the coming days .